Between 54% and 81% of women experience some level of sexual harassment at work, according to job recruitment site Zippia. A large number of these victims (58% to 72%) do not report these occurrences of workplace sexual harassment.
A San Diego sexual harassment attorney says that people who have been sexually harassed feel very strongly about what happened to them and have trouble seeing things from the other side. Sexual harassment attorneys can evaluate your case and determine its likelihood of success.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or harassed at work, a lawyer can help you with every step of the process. They can help you get evidence, file complaints, and stand up for you in court. This article will outline the steps to initiate a case of sexual harassment at the workplace and how a lawyer upholds your rights during the process.
Understanding Sexual Harassment Laws
Workplace sexual harassment victims need to know what their rights are. Laws about sexual harassment provide protection for people and protect them from unwanted treatment at work.
People who know what constitutes sexual harassment can recognize when there are violations of employees’ rights in the workplace. Sexual jokes, offensive language, unwanted advances, or hostile working conditions that someone else agrees to are some examples of workplace sexual harassment.
Are sexual jokes harassment? Yes, sexual jokes can be considered harassment, but only if the situation and frequency warrant it.
Quid pro quo and a hostile environment are the two types of sexual harassment. Both have different circumstances and need certain actions to be resolved.
Knowing your rights will encourage you to take action about the situation.
Assessing Your Case With a Legal Expert
An attorney can determine and evaluate your sexual harassment claim. They can explain to you the subtle distinctions in the law and will tell you if you meet the requirements to bring a claim.
Lawyers will look at the evidence collected, along with witness statements, e-mails, or texts. They will advise you what evidence can be used to support your case. From their analysis, potential problems can be detected and the lawyer will devise strategies to counter these challenges.
An incident timeline will be established by the lawyer. The lawyer will explain how to meet the deadline since it can affect your claim. Their assessment of your case will help you decide and determine how you would like to proceed.
Building a Strong Case Against Your Harasser
Collecting and organizing compelling evidence is a requirement for building a strong case against your harasser. Document every incident with dates, times, and locations, noting down what actually took place.
Gather any messages, emails, or voicemails, if applicable, that prove to be evidence of harassment. Witness statements also provide good backing for your case, so look into anyone who might have seen or heard the incidents.
Have yourself a personal diary, maybe, on how all this made you feel or how it affected you professionally. Such diaries and pieces of evidence will support your narrative and will be important evidence if taken to court.
Handling the Legal Process and Filing Claims
Dealing with the legal process and filing claims can feel overwhelming. Breaking it into smaller and manageable tasks is advised.
- Collect all the pertinent evidence: emails, texts, or pertinent witness statements.
- Contact a sexual harassment lawyer to help you handle the complexities of the law. Such a lawyer will inform you of your rights as well as the legal options you may have.
- A complaint must be filed formally and properly with your employer or the agency in charge. Your lawyer will help you meet the specified deadline.
- Ready yourself for possible mediation or court proceedings. Your lawyer will be with you in every step of the process and work diligently to assert your rights.
Providing Emotional Support and Resources
You can easily be confused with the legal procedure if you don’t have sufficient legal experience. You need to have strong mental health to deal with the situation. Surround yourself with trusted individuals to build up your emotional support. Lawyers can offer you resources to help you cope with the situation. Lawyers can empathize with your circumstances and advise you on the next steps to take.
A lawyer might also suggest some trauma and recovery counselors or support groups to you. Talking to others who have had similar experiences may help you feel better and understood.
